Our Chef – Brasserie Cent Six

He grew up with Cat Stevens knocking around on the streets of London's Soho, played squash with John Cleese and rubbed shoulders with the Royals, the rich and the famous...

Stephen Pulman doesn’t know where to start when asked about his life and work: “I’ve had such a huge career,” he says. He is the first to admit he has had a colourful life and an equally colourful career, spanning over six decades and several continents. At just 22 years of age, he was appointed Head Chef at Frederick’s, one of London’s top boutique restaurants and within 12 months was head-hunted to become Head Chef at London’s fabled Annabels – the most exclusive club in the world. He went on to hold the top positions in London’s most elite kitchens including: The Belfry, Mirabelle (later owned by Marco Pierre White in 1998) and the Ritz Hotel in Picadilly.

Pulman, who has a French mother and English father, grew up with a passion for food. "I had grandparents that were cooking up all these fantastic things," he says. He moved to Australia in 1988 and eventually opened up a restaurant in Montville called Mirabelle. He has also taught at TAFE and briefly worked for a company importing machinery for the industry but this did not last long: "I'm really a Chef. I'm more comfortable doing that than anything else."

He started in the industry at the age of 14, with a two-year course at his school where they cooked for the heads of the department. "Food is a little like theatre - people come to be entertained. It shouldn't be something that you just throw down your throat. Food is a passion." It is a passion Pulman has never grown tired of and despite being in his 7th decade as a Chef, he shows no sign of slowing down. "No way. What for?" He asks.

While he has catered for some of the biggest stars since the 60s, he says they are people like everyone else and he is just as happy to meet and cook for you or anyone else who walks through the door. "No, I don't miss it because they're just people and I love meeting people. What I do miss, every so often, is the depth of culture in Europe but not a lot."

Although food and wine are important to Stephen, recently, Stephen found love. "One beautiful day the love of my life walked into the restaurant and changed everything," he says. "Love has come into my life and it's brought renewed passion and love to the restaurant and the changes are incredible." With his wife, Lucy, he is embarking on a new venture, changing the name of the restaurant from 'Bin 106,' to 'Brasserie Cent Six.' "Cent Six means 106 and we liked it because it is very French and also the restaurant is 106 Brisbane Road."
You can experience Stephen and Lucy's passion for food accompanied by boutique wines from some of the best wineries in France and Australia, at Brasserie Cent Six.

He grew up with Cat Stevens knocking around on the streets of London's Soho, played squash with John Cleese and rubbed shoulders with the Royals, the rich and the famous...

Stephen Pulman selecting game and poultry at London's famous Smithfield Market